For Immediate Release

JHS Sophomores Win ESU Accolades

Tavner Murphy and Jessica Sweeb, Jupiter High School sophomores, tied for first place in the tenth grade division of the Palm Beach Branch of the English Speaking Union annual essay writing competition. The announcement was made by ESU member and Jupiter resident Patricia Sheehy, chairman of the essay committee.

Murphy, whose essay "Nation of Dreams" was selected by the committee as their entry in the national contest in Washington DC, plans to attend Northwestern University this summer for advanced course work in English. According to Mrs. Sheehy, "Tavner's essay has a chance for further competition at the international level in Scotland in the fall." Sweeb's essay, "The Stars and Stripes: What They Really Mean," describes a trip she took with her mother around America; the sights they saw; and the people they met during their trip.

In addition to the essay competition, the Palm Beach branch of the ESU also hosts an annual Shakespeare recitation competition. They also award scholarships to teachers who want to further their studies in English or history abroad, at the University of Oxford, The University of Edinburgh, or the newly restored Globe Theatre in London. Three members of the JHS English and fine arts departments have benefited from these scholarships over the years. They include James Hilliker, drama department chair, who studied at the Globe; Cynthia Mancini, AP language teacher, who studied at Oxford; and Cynthia Stowe, JHS English co-chair, who studied at both Oxford and the Globe.

Murphy and Sweeb, along with their English teacher, Mrs. Stowe, will attend the ESU general assembly and tea on April 18, at the Beach Club in Palm Beach, where they will read their essays before members, parents and teachers.